Chapter Two

“He was unbelievable Mandy. Like it’s so hard to believe our tiny little female brains can’t comprehend the complications of manning an aircraft.” She shook her head, still fired up the next morning when her sister called.

Mandy laughed and Sandi couldn’t help but smile. “Why are you so shocked? I’m sure you’ve dealt with it plenty. You’re always surrounded by men between the military and adventure sports.” Sandi heard crunching and knew her sister was eating because she had to eat when she had time, whether she was hungry or not. The life of a surgeon.

“Of course I’m used to it, still pisses me off though.” Shaking it off, she changed the subject. “So how’s work?”

“It’s fine. The ER is always a madhouse and honestly it’s kind of getting to me.”

Sandi could hear the fatigue and resignation in her sister’s voice. “I’m not surprised considering where you work.” Her sister spent her days fixing up knife wounds, gunshots and vicious beatings. “Maybe it’s time to leave LA?”

“Maybe,” she sighed. “My fellowship ends in three months so it’s time I start thinking about what’s next.”

“Someplace where they don’t have so much gang activity and domestic violence might be nice,” she tossed out.

Mandy’s laugh was sardonic. “Yeah, never thought I’d long for the days of heart problems, stroke and accidents. At least those aren’t people doing awful shit to each other.”

“Sunset has a hospital now. Serves quite a large area. I’m just putting it out there.” She laughed when Mandy gave her the ‘bullshit’ cough. “Okay sue me, I miss you.”

“I miss you too. What are you going to do for work?”

Her doorbell rang but she didn’t move. She had no idea what she would do if she couldn’t get work in town as a pilot. The bell rang again and her feet moved. “I don’t know, maybe I’ll just pack up and go someplace else. The lease is month to month with an option to buy.” She groaned at the man on her porch. “Are you lost?”

“Is everything alright,” Mandy asked, concern lacing her words.

“I’m fine. The dick from Mr. Andersson’s place is at my door. Hang on.”

“Okay but leave the phone on, he might be a creep. Or worse.”

One side of his mouth quirked into a smile and she knew he’d heard her sister. “I’m not lost. I came looking for you.”

“I can’t imagine why,” she said, leaning against the frame with the door pulled tight against her.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

Yeah, right. “No, I’m not. I don’t know you and what I do know isn’t enough to let you into my home. Why are you here?”

He smiled and this time it was the full powerful smile he probably unleashed on unsuspecting women and business associates. It was a stunning smile that made her body stand up and take notice, which she quickly squashed with thoughts of his arrogance. “I’m here because you need a job and I need a pilot.”

“Actually I don’t need a job. I’m looking for a job which means I get to choose my employer.”

Hands shoved deep in his pockets, he smiled again but this one was more amused than mocking. “Fair enough, but a big adventurer like you would love it at Wilde Adventures.”

He waited expectantly like she was supposed to be impressed. “So you run an adventure company, what makes it so special that I would love it?”

“Are you serious?”

Sandi blew out a frustrated sigh. “Look I don’t have time for this. If you’re not serious go away. If you are, start talking.”

“Damn girl when did you get so bossy? I love it!|

She smiled at the phone. “Quiet down little sister.”

“Five lousy minutes! You’re only older because you’re the impatient one!”

Sandi laughed and turned down the speaker volume. “So?”

“Right. Wilde Adventures is my adventure company and we have thirty different locations all over the world. We also film a television series featuring some of our more adventurous stunts, in addition to books, online courses and soon a line of apparel and gear.”

She nodded to show she was listening but that was all. “What does this have to do with me, guy?”

He stuck out a hand. “August Wilde.”

She took his hand. “Of course.” Now she knew why he was so arrogant.

“We are desperately in need of a pilot and my business partner is dead set on you.”

“And he thought sending you was the best way to accomplish that?”

Laughter sounded through the phone. “That tongue is sharp sister! Is he cute? He sounds cute!”

With a knowing smile Sandi looked him over and gave her sister a quick description. “He is very handsome Mandy, just ask him.”

She laughed. “Oh he does have that whole I’m the master of the universe thing going on over the phone.”

“In person too. Now hush, he’s telling me why he’s here.”

“Are you interested in the job?”

“What else would I be interested in Mr. Wilde?” His face flushed and she laughed.

His blue eyes narrowed and darkened as he pulled himself up to his full impressive height. “Are you interested in flying for my company?”

“Sure. Tell me when to show up and where your offices are. I’ll be there.” He did and handed her the info. “Thanks. See you then, Mr. Wilde.”

“The name is August,” he answered but she didn’t hear him because she shut the door.

* * *

“She dismissed me Dom. Me! Can you believe it?” Over dinner that night he told his best friend about the strangest conversation he’d ever participated in. “Then she kept her sister on the phone the entire time, adding her comments to the conversation.” He shook his head, still shocked she’d been so dismissive.

Dom laughed. “It’s nice to see you don’t have every woman under your spell.” He took a sip of beer and laughed harder. “This is a good thing Auggie. It means you don’t have to worry about her trying to get you in bed. Or make a grab for your billions.” He sat back, giving his friend an assessing gaze. “Unless you want her to want to get you in bed.”

“I don’t.” He didn’t, dammit. Sure she was hot with that long chocolate brown hair she kept in a modest braid and big blue eyes protected by long curly lashes. Her skin was tan with traces of last season’s sun exposure and those pink lips made a man think of all the ways they could touch him. “I don’t, not at all Dom.” Sure she had long lean legs that looked like they were for more than just show.

“Sure man, whatever you say. Just tell me one thing, how hot is she?” Dom leaned in with a big smile, waiting expectantly for details.

August smiled. “Pretty fucking hot.” He couldn’t lie because Dom would read more into it when he finally met her. “I want you to sit in on our first meeting. She’s not too keen on me.” He’d already told Dom that Sandi was the woman from Niles’ place.

“I can’t imagine why,” he said, too much amusement in his voice for August’s liking.

“Just be there. She didn’t even let me in her house when I showed up!”

“Smart girl,” Dom laughed. “A single woman can’t be too careful. But don’t worry, I’ll be there.”

Yet the next day when Sandi arrived with a wary smile for him and a cool detachment, Dom was nowhere to be found. “Come on in Sandi. My partner should be here any minute.”

She shrugged. “You have my resume and I have the formal offer. What else is left to do?”

“We need to do a test flight. Make sure you’re up for the job.”

“You’ve spoken to my most recent employers and I assume my last commanding officer before I was discharged?”

He nodded. He’d personally spoken to each of them and every man had nothing but great things to say about her attitude and her work ethic. There wasn’t a hint of lust or unrequited love among them either. Nothing but respect for the stunning woman in front of him. “I did. They were all glowing references.”

“Yet you still want me to fly for you to make sure I can fly?”

August felt he was walking into a trap but he couldn’t see it, so he nodded slowly. “Yes. As your employer it is up to me to determine if your skills match our needs.”

“They don’t.” She stood and reached for the canvas bag she carried with her, giving him a great view of her perfect heart shaped ass. “Thank you for your time Mr. Wilde, but I don’t think this is the job for me. Good luck with your search.” She breezed out of the office just as Dom showed up with his most charming smile.

“What’d I miss?”

August released a growl from deep inside his chest and told Dom what happened. “She turned the job down.”

Dom scowled. “What the fuck Auggie?” He took off after Sandi with a dark look for his best friend and business partner.

* * *

Sandi fumed silently as she marched towards the copper elevator doors, ignoring her distorted appearance. That man was as insufferable as he was handsome, and he obviously had a serious issue with women. Fly for him! My skills were good enough for Uncle Sam but not him? Unreal! She couldn’t work for a man like that, not again. Her first commanding officer had been the same way, doing his best to make her cry. Make her quit. They’d butted heads so often he’d finally agreed to a transfer once she’d completed training.

Sunset was a small town so no doubt they’d run into each other, but she would be sure to turn and walk in the other direction. She should’ve known. Men were all the same. Despite his long hair and tattoos, and the way alternative lifestyle just rolled off him, he was very much a traditional sexist. “Finally,” she muttered when the elevator doors opened and she walked on. Alone. The sooner she got out of this place, the better.

It really was too bad August Wilde was a bit of a douchebag, because his business was solid. Technically his business was exactly her business. She could have found fulfillment in Sunset with that job, but she needed her self-respect. It was all she had left.

The handsome man from the doorway slid in as the doors closed and smiled at her. “Sorry about Auggie, he has a blindspot for hot and capable women.”

Auggie? She smiled because his own grin was contagious. “He prefers them helpless so he can play the hero?” It was just a guess but August Wilde was many things. Unique was not one of them.

“No but you’d be surprised how many women take jobs at our sites just to get close to me or Auggie, then we find out they can’t do the job.” He shrugged, unapologetic for his friend’s assery.

“Well I’m perfectly capable of doing my job. I’ll just be doing it someplace else.” Hopefully. If not, she’d be moving on soon.

“Dominic Domicci, but my friends call me Dom,” he held out his hand for her.

“Sandi Flynt but you already know that.”

“Let’s have lunch and chat Sandi Flynt. Give me a chance to change your mind.”

She didn’t want to. Dom seemed to be even more charming and likeable than his buddy August, which could only spell trouble. “What could possibly change my mind Dom?”

His brown eyes flared with amusement. “For starters, money.”

“I don’t need money bad enough to put up with that man, so thanks for the offer but no thanks.”

“I said for starters. Come to lunch, let’s see what we can work out.”

Her blue eyes widened. “I’m not sleeping with you.”

Dom’s laugh bounced around in the elevator. “Good because I don’t poach my buddy’s girls.”

She frowned. “You’ve got the wrong end of the stick guy. Your buddy is nothing to me and I’m less to him.”

“Whatever you say.” He pushed off the wall as the elevator car came to a stop. “Mancini’s is about a mile away. I’ll drive.”

Like hell. “No need, my car is parked across the street. I’ll drive.”

Dom laughed but she heard his shoes following behind her and he slid into the passenger seat with a smile. “Fine by me.”

They arrived at Mancini’s and were quickly seated because it was the nicest place in town and most Sunset residents didn’t eat there regularly. She was amazed it was able to stay open during the day. “This seems like your kind of place Dom.”

Just then old man Mancini walked up. “Dom, you’re here early today and who is…little Sandi Flynt. Not so little no more,” he laughed, holding out his hands to her.

Sandi stood and hugged the old man whom she towered over now. “Mr. Mancini do you still make the best pappardelle in the world?”

He patted her cheek. “You know I do! I have a new vodka sauce I’ll put on it.” He looked between them. “Lasagna for Dom. Salad and wine?”

“Sure.” She had nothing else to do today, might as well drink wine in the middle of the day. Mancini left and Dom turned to her.

“Give me one tour and if you do good, you’ve got the job.”

She sighed. “Is this about my flying?”

“No Sandi, it’s about you being personable and entertaining while you fly. Give me a memorable tour and it’s done.”

“And your boy Auggie will go for it?” He gave her a terse nod. “Fine. Tomorrow, noon.”